The State Secretary (Deputy Minister) and Special Envoy for International Climate Action German Federal Foreign Office, Jennifer Morgan, made this known during a public lecture themed: “The Climate Crisis and the Global Energy Transition – Challenges and Opportunities,” at the University of Lagos.
The programme gave insights into the challenges posed by the climate crisis and transformative opportunities presented by transitioning to sustainable energy sources on a global scale through partnerships.
Morgan, known for her expertise in environmental policy and advocacy, said that the cooperation presents Nigeria an opportunity to ensure energy accessibility and affordability, mitigate severe climate impacts, and enhance overall quality of life, as well as to adapt to the evolving global energy market.
She noted that while there is a rising demand for critical raw materials, the demand for oil and gas is decreasing. Morgan said sectors of solar, wind, and green hydrogen are experiencing job growth and are expected to provide jobs in the future.
She said: “The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) produced a report on Nigeria that showed how renewable energy technologies will be key to achieving a sustainable energy mix and meeting the country’s growing needs.
“It found that investing in renewables is equally cost-effective, a bit more so, than continuing the conventional fossil path. It also found that in a scenario with rapid renewable energy expansion, Nigeria could provide electricity to its entire population five years sooner than under current plans. Indeed, Nigeria already has an ambitious Energy Transition Plan.”
“Germany is investing heavily in wind and solar energy. But to fully decarbonise our industry, we will need green hydrogen. Up to two-thirds of our significant demand will have to be imported. That is where countries like Nigeria can come in, once you have achieved universal energy access.
“For Africa, renewable energy is an asset that enables it to play a truly global role. To enable Africans to reap the rewards of this transition, we must all work together and the industrialised countries have a responsibility to provide support and collaboration. This is why Germany supports the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) launched at the African Climate Summit last year.”
She added: “This transition is also an opportunity for Nigeria to make energy accessible and affordable for all. To prevent worse climate impacts, to create a better, healthier, safer life for everyone. The decisions Nigeria makes in the coming few years are vitally important to determine that path.”
“The Nigerian-German Hydrogen Office in Abuja was established as part of the German-Nigerian Energy Partnership to facilitate collaboration between decision-makers and experts from Nigeria, Germany, and other countries. The German-Nigerian cooperation is exemplified by a Nigerian company co-founded by German entrepreneurs introducing e-forklifts powered by solar energy, creating over 800 jobs in Nigeria within two years,” she reiterated.
She said Nigeria could be a beneficiary of the emerging global green hydrogen market. “That is why as part of the German Nigerian Energy Partnership we have opened the Nigerian-German Hydrogen Office in Abuja.
It aims to connect decision-makers and experts from your country, Germany and beyond to explore how green hydrogen can help move forward green industrialisation and to strengthen, diversify and decarbonise the Nigerian economy.
The hosts of the programme, the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany to Lagos, Mr Weert Borner and Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Folasade Ogunsola, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Lucien Chukwu, said the partnerships and collaborations in advancing the course of research between the university and Germany through Siemens Energy produced an Ultra-Modern Digital Engineering Laboratory in 2021.
He noted that the university planted 1,000 trees in 2023 to reduce carbon footprints and engage in other initiatives such as recycling and energy audits, and solar power electric charging vehicles for sustainable and renewable use of energy.
